Gong Li

Gong Li was born Dec. 31, 1965, and raised in Shenyang as the youngest child of college professors in Beijing, China. With her early passion for singing, dancing and acting, Li was uninterested in following in her family's academic footsteps, and she went against their wishes by enrolling in Beijing's Central Academy of Drama after high school. It was there that she met budding young actor and director Zhang Yimou, who would launch both their careers with his 1987 film "Red Sorghum," which starred Li as a meek bride who becomes a powerful woman when she takes over her husband's winery after his death. The role set the tone for actress' future endeavors playing strong lead characters who ofte... Continue Bio >>